Reviewing EVERY iPhone Ever!
Marques Brownlee・32 minutes read
The evolution of iPhones, from the original model to the latest releases, has brought significant improvements in cameras, displays, battery life, and performance, with the Pro models offering the best camera system in any smartphone. Despite the increase in screen sizes and prices, Apple has maintained smaller options like the Mini, while sales are stabilizing, leading to a focus on expanding services and accessories.
Insights
- The iPhone lineup has evolved significantly since its inception in 2007, with each model introducing new features such as the App Store, Retina display, Touch ID, Face ID, and Pro camera systems, reflecting Apple's commitment to innovation and technological advancements.
- Apple's strategic pricing and product diversification have played a crucial role in shaping the iPhone's market presence, with a range of options from budget-friendly to premium models, while also focusing on expanding into other product categories like services and accessories to maintain growth amidst stabilizing iPhone sales.
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Recent questions
What was the first iPhone like?
The original iPhone lacked an app store, had a 3.5-inch display, and a 2-megapixel camera.
What was the major issue with the iPhone 4?
The iPhone 4 faced the "Antennagate" issue due to signal strength dropping when held a certain way.
What was the standout feature of the iPhone 5S?
The iPhone 5S featured Touch ID, a fingerprint sensor for security.
What was the notable change in the iPhone 7?
The iPhone 7 removed the headphone jack, shifting towards wireless audio.
What set the iPhone X apart from previous models?
The iPhone X introduced Face ID facial recognition and a new design with no home button.
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Summary
00:00
Evolution of iPhone: From 2007 to 5S
- The first iPhone was unveiled at Macworld 2007, marking a significant moment in smartphone history.
- The iPhone 13 lineup boasts world-class cameras, proprietary silicon, and numerous software features.
- The original iPhone lacked an app store and the ability to set wallpapers, with a 3.5-inch display and a 2-megapixel camera.
- The iPhone 3G introduced the App Store with 500 apps, transitioning from web apps for Safari.
- The iPhone 3GS featured a faster chip, 256MB of RAM, and the ability to record videos.
- The iPhone 4 showcased a new design with a square shape, a Retina display, and an Apple-branded chip.
- The iPhone 4 faced the "Antennagate" issue due to signal strength dropping when held a certain way.
- The iPhone 4S introduced Siri, an 8-megapixel camera, and iOS 7.
- The iPhone 5 brought a larger display, LTE support, and the Lightning port, replacing the 30-pin connector.
- The iPhone 5S featured Touch ID and the iPhone 5C offered a cheaper, colorful option with a plastic body.
14:10
Evolution of iPhones: From Phablets to Pro
- The introduction of large phones, known as "phablets," like the Galaxy Mega, blurred the line between phone size and small tablets.
- The durability issues of the large phones led to the infamous "bendgate" incident, where an iPhone was bent in half.
- The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus addressed hardware issues with reinforced 7000 series aluminum and doubled the RAM to 2 gigabytes.
- The introduction of the Apple A9 chip and 3D Touch, a pressure-sensitive layer under the display, were significant features of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
- The iPhone SE, released six months later, brought back the smaller four-inch screen size and was the oldest iPhone supporting the newest iOS version.
- The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were notable for introducing multiple cameras for telephoto optical zoom and portrait mode, as well as eliminating the physical home button.
- The removal of the headphone jack in the iPhone 7 marked a shift towards wireless audio, with the introduction of AirPods at the same event.
- The iPhone X introduced a new design with no home button, Face ID facial recognition, and a higher price tag of $1000, setting a new standard for smartphone pricing.
- The iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR continued the trend of larger screens and higher prices, with the XR offering a more affordable option with an LCD display.
- The iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max maintained the design of the previous models, with improvements in camera technology and the introduction of the Pro naming convention.
28:32
Evolution of iPhone: Cameras, Displays, Sales Trends
- The latest iPhone models have seen improvements in key areas: cameras have been upgraded significantly, with the Pro models now boasting the best camera system in any smartphone currently available. Battery life has also been enhanced due to larger batteries, resulting in slightly thicker and heavier phones. Displays, especially on the Pro models, now feature a high refresh rate promotion display reaching up to 120 hertz.
- ProRes video capability has been announced for the Pro iPhones, pending a software update. With a total of 33 iPhone models released over 14 years, there are now over a billion active iPhones globally. Visualizing the progress of iPhones over the years, storage sizes have increased steadily, with the current maximum reaching over a thousand gigabytes. Performance has also shown a consistent upward trend, while camera megapixel counts have evolved from 2 to 12 megapixels.
- Screen sizes have grown over the years, with the iPhone initially sporting a three and a half-inch screen. Despite the trend towards larger phones, Apple has maintained smaller options like the Mini, possibly phasing out in the future. Starting prices for iPhones have gradually increased, with the current most expensive model priced at $1599. iPhone sales peaked between 2011 and 2015, with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus being the best-selling models, but sales are now stabilizing, prompting Apple to focus on expanding other product categories like services and accessories.
